Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello – Morgane + Claude

The initial meeting

We first met through mutual friends about ten years ago. We frequented the same Parisian nightlife establishments, exchanging polite greetings, nothing more. At that time, we were both in relationships.

Several years have passed, Claude and I had never kept in touch but without knowing it, we were more or less following the same life path. Internships abroad, a backwards return to Paris, a complicated separation and then newly single, the desire to enjoy this new life, wound up like clocks.

It was through an accidental Tinder swipe that we got back in touch, each amused to see the other there. We exchanged a few jokes and our phone numbers and then each went on vacation, again without keeping in touch.

It was on the way back from our respective vacations that I texted Claude: "HELLO CHICO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TONIGHT?" (#GIRLPOWER) – An hour later, we met up at Le Mansart with two other friends for a few glasses of rosé. Two hours later, we ended up at Le Bus Paladium where an improbable karaoke night, hosted by a clown, was in full swing. That's when we said to ourselves, "What the hell, let's go for it!" 

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

The marriage proposal

• June 2017: Having been living in London for a year and a half, I accept a new job and find myself in a professional whirlwind while Claude is secretly preparing his plan.
• July 2017: Claude set out to find the engagement ring and spent several weeks scouring the jewelers' streets in London. At the same time, he considered an unconventional proposal idea: a weekend in Capri.
• Early August 2017: The ring is ready. Claude retrieves it and faces the fateful moment: calling my father to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. A moment of panic. A few glasses of wine later, alone with the ring, my father picks up the phone. Surprise, then joy. It's in the bag.
• August 25, 2017: I suspect nothing. I know that Claude has organized a relaxing weekend in the sun, as we often do.
• August 27, 2017: Claude already has everything planned: a boat is waiting for us both in Sorrento and sets sail for Capri. An idyllic day sailing around the island and swimming in the crystal-clear waters. In the evening, Claude takes me to the Augustus Caesar, a famous hotel renowned for its breathtaking view and panoramic terrace overlooking the sea. I then realize I've forgotten my hairbrush. Major crisis. I ask Claude to search every shop in town to buy one, while he tucks the ring into his jacket pocket. The stress is mounting! 8 p.m., on the hotel terrace. The sun is about to set. Claude suggests we walk in the hotel gardens.  It was in private that he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. The evening ended in a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, where we couldn't eat a thing because of the overwhelming emotions (well, except for a few glasses of wine…)! We ended up dancing barefoot under the stars, facing the restaurant's DJ, savoring this timeless evening.

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

The wedding venue in Corsica

The destination is obvious to us: Claude is Corsican and I am in love with this island. 

We stop at the Cipiniello estate in Olmeto. An incredible villa facing the bay of Propriano. During the visit, we have a crush. On the other hand, Jenny the owner does not accept weddings for fear of damage. Sadness and despair!

After much discussion, trust is established and Jenny makes an exception. She will leave us the keys to her little paradise so that we can organize the evening of our lives.

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Organizing a wedding in Corsica

At the end of October 2017, we went to Corsica for the first time. The venue and date at the church were booked, so we started looking for a wedding planner there to help us coordinate the event from London.

We hear a lot of good things about Mélanie from the Perluette Agency and decide to meet her. Love at first sight and great feeling. We want Mélanie to accompany us but she is already organizing 2 weddings on the same date. The feeling is so perfect that we decide to postpone our wedding to the following weekend. Alignment of the planets, Mélanie will accompany us!

From there, it's a race. The island is small. The best services are quickly taken by storm.  At the end of 2017, beginning of 2018, the key services are secured. We meet some of them during a second trip to Corsica.  The rest will be done via FaceTime.  At the same time, we have weekly (then daily) phone calls with Mélanie who shares her little black book and a multitude of Excel files with us. The process is well-oiled, we are moving forward calmly. Each month we set ourselves objectives: validation of services, menus, decoration up to the timed planning of the day.

In total, we will go to Corsica twice to do the caterer testing, cakes, talk decoration, the Sartène choir for the religious ceremony, logistics with Jenny and make general points with Mélanie. The rest is done remotely with David Maire our photographer who is based in Lille, Meryll  by Gordon our videographer based in Lyon and Niko our DJ from St Tropez.

Meanwhile, Claude's suits and my wedding dress were custom-made in Paris. Several trips back and forth were necessary to finalize our respective outfits. Blandin & Delloye made Claude's suits. For me, it was Celestina Agostino and her unique, couture approach that won me over.

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Wedding decoration in Corsica

Simple, clean, timeless. The place is already magical, no need to add anything more!

White, olive trees to recall the scrubland, lots of candles, subtle lighting that highlights the magnificent garden. The highlight: a banquet table for 100 people, facing the sea with letter balloons as a marker on the table that takes up the nickname that Claude gives to Morgane.

We will make our entrance, surrounded by Joana our Saxo and our witnesses,  all holding white smoke flares to kick off the evening.

Their best memory

• Preparation with our witnesses (and my mothers)
• The entrance into the Church to the traditional songs of the Sartène Choir. An incredible opportunity to have them near us.
• Arriving at the villa after the ceremony, surrounded by our families and friends
• The crazy atmosphere from the cocktail
• Speeches by our parents and friends
• The joy of seeing all the people we love surrounding us and having fun

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Elegant wedding in Corsica at Villa Cipiniello © David Maire

Advice from the newlyweds

• An intimate wedding to spend time with each guest and create lasting memories
• Less is more: don't get bogged down in details. Do simple things with quality that are perfectly executed (guests won't remember the number of petals in your bouquet or the color of the bow around the plaids)
• A wedding planner you trust completely and to whom you delegate everything, especially on the big day. I'm a control freak, but on that day, I didn't want to take care of anything. My only goal was to enjoy every moment. Mission accomplished!
• Be happy and have fun!!! By beaming, you will take all your guests with you!